Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rangiriri
Following SH1 south from Auckland you're retracing the route of the colonial army in the
spectacular land grab that was the Waikato War. On 20 November 1863, around 1500
British troops backed by gunboats and artillery, attacked the substantial fortifications erec-
ted by the Maori king's warriors at Rangiriri. They were repulsed a number of times and
lost 49 men, but overnight many of the 500 Maori defenders retreated; the remaining 183
were taken prisoner the next day after the British gained entry to the
pa
(fortified village)
by conveniently misunderstanding a flag of truce.
The
Rangiriri Heritage Centre
( 07-826 3663;
www.nzmuseums.co.nz
;
12 Rangiriri Rd; admission $3, film
$5; 8am-4pm)
screens a short documentary about the battle, and across the road the
Maori
War & Early Settlers Cemetery
(Rangiriri Rd; 24hr)
houses the soldiers' graves and a
mound covering the mass grave of 36 Maori warriors.
Next to the heritage centre is the historic
Rangiriri Hotel
(
07-826 3467; 8 Talbot St; lunch mains
11am-11pm)
, a cheery spot for lunch or a beer.
$11-20, dinner $17-30;
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ngaruawahia & Around
POP 4940
The headquarters of the Maori King movement, Ngaruawahia is 19km north of Hamilton
on SH1. The impressive fences of
Turangawaewae Marae
( 07-824 5189; 29 River Rd)
maintain
the privacy of this important place, but twice a year visitors are welcomed.
Regatta Day
is
held in mid-March, with
waka
(canoe) races and all manner of Maori cultural activities.
For a week from 15 August the
marae
(meeting house) is open to celebrate
Koroniehana
, the
anniversary of the coronation of the current king, Tuheitia.
